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Kamidana 神棚, is the actual wooden shrine made out of Hinoki wood (桧 Japanese cypress wood). Kamiza 上座 is actually the "seat of honor", which refers to the location where a kamidana should be placed.

Further, it is not "just" about tradition or honoring the "founders"...

Shinto is a religion. Most western MA teachers are pretending and lying that it is not, and the kamidana and bowing ritual is only a matter of respecting the tradition and founders. This is completely wrong. People cheat, lie and try to bend things the way they want for their own selfish purposes.

The facts are, for Christians that they should not bow for other gods... (it is in the bible...) Which is exactly what they are doing bowing in front of a Kamidana. The worship of other gods is a reason for excommunication.

Shinto is a religion and that is a fact. Worshiping a Shinto altar (Kamidana), is worshiping "other gods". Over a 100 million Japanese observe Shinto events (e.g. New Years, Shogatsu) and visit their local shrines. Public dojo, like community centers or public school dojo (shogakko/elementary,chugakko/Junior High School and Koko/High School) do NOT have Kamidana, because of the separation of Religion and State under the Japanese Constitution.

Christians, Muslims, etc, that bow to a Kamidana have some serious soul searching to do...

Mark you missed on the "worship" part of you retort. As a Western, Christian Martial Artist I can make a destintion between worshiping and respecting another faith or philosophy. I bow out of respect, not worship. I have traveled the world and entered all types of religious buildings. In every case I was respectful to the place and the people there. That's not worship, its respect. My dojo is located in a Christian Church annex building, and for a while we had an Anglican Priest training with us. No one has a problem with it.

Aikido more than anyother MA is in keeping with my Christian values and beliefs. Well, I guess we could say that about most faiths couldn't we. I think our souls will be fine.

Shinto is a religion and that is a fact. Worshiping a Shinto altar (Kamidana), is worshiping "other gods". Over a 100 million Japanese observe Shinto events (e.g. New Years, Shogatsu) and visit their local shrines.
Christians, Muslims, etc, that bow to a Kamidana have some serious soul searching to do...

Most of the Japanese people I met described their role in attending Shinto events as non-religious in nature.
Yes, worshipping the altar, would not be worshiping "God." However, a distinction can be made (and is up to the individual to adopt or not) between bowing and worshiping. If one can bow to their king (who is not God) and be said to not be worshiping said king, why not kamiza?
So for some, bowing to shomen where kamiza or shinza are, is just showing respect for the tradition.